EKETAHUNA

Wairarapa Times-Age, 27 May 1940, Page 7

EKETAHUNA

A GALA DAY IN AID OF RED CROSS APPEAL. (“Times-Age” Special.) Saturday was a gala day in Eketahuna. the occasion being the annual Rugby match between the staffs of the Tarawa Electric Power Board and County staffs. The proceeds of this year’s effort will go to the Red Cross Appeal which will benefit to the extent of £6O.

A i procession of decorated vehicles left Main Street for the Domain at 1.30 p.m. and included many humorous exhibits. The County and Power Board had spared no effort in decorating their respective conveyances. The Girl Guides, Boy Scouts and Cubs,' Fire Brigades, Red Cross, etc., also entered into the spirit of the occasion. On arrival at the grounds, it was not long before the Pahiatua and Eketahuna Fire Brigades were playing their burlesque match. For a quarter of an hour they played with a tennis ball, the committee, in the excitement, having forgotten to obtain the fullsized ball the usually goes with the game of Rugby. When the ball did arrive both teams settled down to serious play and entertained the crowd with some excellent football. The result was a win for the Pahiatua team by 5 points (a try by G. Paget, who also converted), to 3 points (a try by Jock Simpson). The referee was Mr C. Parsons.

. The main game, was hard-fought, and was full of action from start to finish, considering that many members of the teams were playing for the first time since their encounter last year, it was surprising how they maintained their pace The result was a win for the Power Board by 8 points to 3 and this was a true indication of the run of play. The scorers for the victors were: Johansen and B. Bradley. W. Simpson, junr, converted the first try. For the County, Nelson Richardson scored a nice try. Mr W. Lawry, Pahiatua, controlled the game.

After the match the teams'were entertained at a social in the Foresters’ Hall, when the usual toasts were honoured, and the presentation of the Shield took place. Messrs V. Payne, A. Ramsay, J. Tolley and J. Ammundsen contributed much appreciated items.

The gathering brought to a successful conclusion with a dance in the Odd Fellows’ Hall when there was a large attendance. The music was supplied by Messrs Liardet and D. Thompson, Miss V. Irwin contributed a much appreciated extra. The £5 competition was dra,wn and this resulted in Arnie Neilson holding the lucky ticket (No. 228).

A copper trail competition held on the ground between the Power Board and County resulted in the former winning with a distance of 28yds against the County’s 25yds, the collection amounting £6 12s. The combined committee, under the chairmanship of Mr S. Daniel, is to be congratulated on its successful effort which proves that Eketahuna possesses citizens possessing outstanding or-, ganising ability. A word of praise must also be accorded the capable secretary, Mr W. Simpson, upon whose shoulders fell a great deal of the work.

Severe Electrical Storm. A very severe electrical storm was experienced in Eketahuna late yesterday afternoon and early in the evening. At about 6 p.m. a particularly vivid lightning flash disorganised the electrical supply for some hours. Meeting Cancelled. The public meeting called by the Eketahuna Returned Soldiers’ Association for Thursday night has been cancelled.